The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the two shows this weekend and hopefully the weather will be better and the shows will go as advertised. Last weekend, both the Friday and Saturday shows were affected by the storm that hit Nashville and the surrounding area. This weekend there are two very nice shows scheduled and Opry members will be out in full force as there are just two guest artists on Friday night and only one on Saturday night.
Both nights will feature Opry members John Conlee, Ralph Stanley, Mike Snider, Bill Anderson and Roy Clark. I would like to mention that today (Wednesday) is Ralph Stanley's 88th birthday, making him the Opry's oldest current member and it is good to see him back on the Opry. And it always brings a smile to my face to see Roy Clark on the Opry schedule. He doesn't make the number of appearances many of us would like, but he is a popular Opry member that fans love.
Joining them on Friday night will be Opry members Ricky Skaggs, The Whites, Vince Gill, Riders In The Sky and the Oak Ridge Boys. Saturday's Opry members include Terri Clark, Connie Smith, Steve Wariner, Jim Ed Brown, Jeannie Seely, Bobby Osborne and Montgomery Gentry.
The guest artists this weekend have Greg Bates and Sunny Sweeney on Friday Night. Interesting that Sunny is the only solo female artist on the Friday show. Saturday will feature "Nashville" actress Aubrey Peeples.
Friday February 27
7:00: John Conlee (host); Greg Bates; Ralph Stanley
7:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Mike Snider; Rodney Atkins
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Sunny Sweeney; Roy Clark
8:45: Vince Gill (host); Riders In The Sky; Oak Ridge Boys
Saturday February 28
7:00: John Conlee (host); Terri Clark; Mike Snider
7:30: Connie Smith (host); Aubrey Peeples; Roy Clark
Intermission
8:15: Steve Wariner (host); Jim Ed Brown; Ralph Stanley; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); Jeannie Seely; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Montgomery Gentry
What I like about this weekend is that there is a lot of variety between the two shows and full line-ups with the potential for both shows to run over the normal time.
And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-ups from 5 years ago this weekend, February 26 & 27, 2010:
Friday February 26
7:00: John Conlee (host); The Whites; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Josh Thompson
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jean Shepard; Del McCoury Band
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Mike Snider; Miranda Lambert
8:45: Vince Gill (host); Connie Smith; Blake Shelton
Saturday February 27
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; The Band Perry
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Jack Greene; Dailey & Vincent
Intermission
8:15: Jim Ed Brown (host); Connie Smith; Sunny Sweeney; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); Jan Howard; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Jimmy Wayne
And from 10 years ago this weekend, February 25 & 26, 2005:
Friday February 25
7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Mel McDaniel; Sherrie Austin
8:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Susan Hayes; Jan Howard; Mark Chesnutt
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Melonie Cannon & Tennessee Road; George Canyon
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; Craig Morgan
9:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Lonestar
Saturday February 26
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Lane Turner
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jack Greene; David Lee Murphy
7:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Craig Morgan
8:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Charlie Louvin; Miranda Lambert; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Mel McDaniel; Osborne Brothers; Mark Chesnutt
2nd
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; David Lee Murphy
10:00: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Lane Turner
10:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Charlie Louvin; Craig Morgan; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Osborne Brothers; Jack Greene; Miranda Lambert
11:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Mel McDaniel; Mark Chesnutt
Finally, it was 23 years ago this weekend, February 29, 1992 that Travis Tritt became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Why, I don't know because if there is a poster child for someone who is an Opry member and does not appear on the Opry, it is Travis Tritt. Since joining the Opry, Travis has made 44 Opry appearances, which is actually a much better record than Reba McEntire. But, Travis has not appeared on the Opry since 2007. I don't know why. I assume the Opry has reached out to him. He is still active and very popular. So, who knows. What I do know is that he hasn't appeared on the Opry since Porter Wagoner passed away, but I don't know if there is a connection there and also, the Opry did reach out to him on his 20th anniversary as an Opry member, which the Opry has been doing, and they could not come up with an appearance.
So, to remember Travis Tritt and the night he became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, here is the line-up from the weekend of February 28 & 29, 1992
Friday February 28
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Skeeter Davis; David Houston
8:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Justin Tubb; The Whites
8:30: Roy Acuff (host); Connie Smith; Jimmy C Newman
9:00: Hank Snow (host); Jean Shepard; Stonewall Jackson; Jim Ed Brown
9:30: Boxcar Willie (host); Stu Phillips; Bill Carlisle
10:00: Del Reeves (host); Jeannie Seely; Ernie Ashworth
10:30: Charlie Walker (host); Jan Howard; Ray Pillow; Mike Snider
Saturday February 29
1st show
6:30: Bill Anderson (host); Skeeter Davis; David Houston
6:45: Del Reeves (host); Charlie Louvin; Jimmy C Newman
7:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jan Howard; Mike Snider; Jean Shepard; Ray Pillow
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Trisha Yearwood; Travis Tritt
8:00: Roy Acuff (host); Connie Smith; Four Guys; Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); The Whites; Stonewall Jackson; Boxcar Willie; Roy Drusky
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jean Shepard; Charlie Louvin; Jeannie Seely; Travis Tritt
10:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Trisha Yearwood
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Mike Snider
10:30: Boxcar Willie (host); Wilma Lee Cooper
10:45: Bill Anderson (host); Jimmy C Newman; Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Charlie Walker; Bill Carlisle; Justin Tubb; Del Reeves
11:30: Four Guys (host); Roy Drusky; The Whites; Connie Smith
Enjoy the Opry this weekend!!
This is one of the best lineups in a while, and probably the best one of the year. It's nice that there are more members than guests on these shows. Between the stars appearing on this weekend's shows, they have had a combined total of 106 number 1 singles!
ReplyDeleteIt's really great to see Roy Clark again. From what I've read, and from his appearances last year, he hasn't been sounding up to his standard, and I haven't seen any other tour dates scheduled for him this year other than these 2 stops at the Opry, which makes me wonder if he's retiring. Fingers crossed that he does "Under The Double Eagle!"
Today would be Faron Young's 83rd birthday.
You mentioned before that Mel Tillis had originally turned down n Opry invitation before being asked again at 75 in 2007. Does anybody know if Ralph Stanley had been previously invited to join the Opry before 2000? It doesn't make sense to me why the Opry would ask him to join for the first time that late in his life.
Trace Adkins rescheduled his previously cancelled Opry appearance to this Tuesday, and Jesse McReynolds is scheduled to make his Grand Ole Opry return that night as well. Still no word on where Jean Shepard has been the past couple months. I hope she hasn't been put on the Opry's "no more gray hairs" list which Stonewall Jackson and Stu Phillips seem to be on.
The only idea I would get for Travis leaving after Porter's passing is that Porter introduced him the night he became a member, and that's the only one he wanted to introduce him. After he died, I guess he felt the Opry was going downhill fast without Porter, and decided to leave, with the exception of appearing at George Jones' memorial service at the Opry house, which the Opry posted a video of.
Kyle
Ralph Stanley, from what I have learned, had not been formally asked to join the Opry prior to when he joined. As far as him joining at the late age, there was a push by several of the members including Ricky Skaggs and Patty Loveless, to have him join. This was also the period after the death of Bill Monroe where they needed to add bluegrass to the Opry's cast.
ReplyDeleteAs far as Mel, there are several different versions of the story. A common one is that he was asked to join, accepted, then changed his mind. He is even pictured in the 1969 Opry History-Picture Book and during that period was making Opry appearances. Then he disappeared from the Opry. Yet in the Opry's historical information, he is not listed as being a member until he actually joined in 2007. I would say that is confusing but as you go further back into the history of the Opry, they have made it a habit of changing induction dates and who actually was, or was not, a member of the Opry.
Travis Tritt has always been a mystery with the Opry. When he was appearing, it wasn't very much. And he hasn't said anything about the Opry since he stopped appearing.
For Christmas my kids got our whole family tickets for the Friday Night Show (one day after my birthday). At that time we had no idea who might appear.
ReplyDeleteI will have to say that this is the best lineup I've seen in a LONG time. Thirteen acts. When was the last time that happened? Ten 'Opry members, more 'Opry members than the usual number of total acts. Three Hall of Fame members, and a few who may be there soon.
And, my kids got me the special pre-show backstage tour.
Life is GOOD!
A thought on M-m-m-mel. Wasn't he part of Porter Wagoner's show back then? I wonder because Mary Lou Turner was often on with Bill Anderson when they were partners, but I think she might have performed on her own, too?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, this Friday and Saturday night are the first in a while where I've said to myself, I really need to listen.
You've got great kids, Nat. That's some amazing luck you got with the show tickets.
ReplyDeleteYou couldn't ask for a better lineup to see at the Opry, plus who knows who you'll meet on your tour?
And a happy birthday to you! If I understand what you're saying correctly, then your birthday is tomorrow. If so, then you happen to share your birthday with Johnny Cash!
So have a great night at the Opry, and a great birthday weekend!
Kyle
Johnny Cash and Buffalo Bill Cody and I share birthdays.
ReplyDeleteWho is going to host the 'Opry Friday night?
Bill Cody (Eddie Stubbs is on vacation)!
There may be a more blessed man than me on this planet, but right now I'm not sure who he is!
Packing my rose colored glasses, Riders in the Sky CACTIE, and Bill Anderson autographed hat for the backstage tour.
Thanks for your comments Kyle.
Does that Bill Anderson hat of yours happen to be "an Old Army Hat?"
DeleteKyle
Kyle;
DeleteI could only wish I had an Old Army Hat.
Mine is a golf hat that says "Whisperin Bill Anderson."
He autographed it on an 'Opry Cruise my wife and I took a few years back.
The VIP tour before the show was absolutely amazing. Thrill of a lifetime. Met John Conlee and Jim Lauderdale.
Show itself was great, too many stars to mention.
To top it off, Bill Cody noted on the airwaves of AM650 that Nat Hill is a "regular listener of Coffee, Country, and Cody."
Life is good, life is good.
I just saw that Spider Wilson passed yesterday at age 79. Just a few weeks ago we were discussing Jimmy Dickens passing and one of the topics was his early trend setting bands. Jimmy Wilson was a part of that early sound. Although many here have talked about the Opry becoming stale in the 80's and the staff band making everyone sound alike, that era is still my favorite that I got to listen to as it happened and Spider Wilson was a big part of that sound along with Weldon, Leon, Joe and Jimmy Capps.
ReplyDeleteJim
Knightsville, IN
Jim, I saw the news, and he's another great musician forced out by current management. That staff band was wonderful in those days, and Spider Wilson was a big part of it. As I understand it, he is the father-in-law of one of The Whites.
ReplyDeleteApropos of that, does anybody know what has happened to "Mr. Whitehurst"? I believe that Billy Linneman (or, as Mr. Acuff called him, Billy Linderman) has had some health problems but is still around.
Quite a show tonight. Roy Clark sounded awfully gravelly, but if, as I think it was, he was at the controls of the electric guitar, his fingers are still mighty nimble.
ReplyDeleteVince Gill just paid tribute to Spider Wilson. I hadn't heard any mention tonight, although I missed bits of the show here and there.
Trace Adkins has cancelled again for the Tuesday Night Opry. That makes two for him this year. I assumed the first time was weather related, not sure of the reason this time.
ReplyDelete